This charging system works better than AirPower would have [Review]

Scosche BaseLynx is one system, but it lets you mix and match the types of chargers you need: iPhone, Apple Watch, etc. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Scosche BaseLynx can quickly charge every Apple device you have — AirPods to MacBook Pro — either wirelessly or via cable. And this system is modular so you can get just the components you need and not the ones you don’t.

I’ve used it to power my Apple Watch, iPhone and iPad. Here’s how it survived real-world use.

Scosche BaseLynx Modular Charging System review

BaseLynx is for those of us who have a collection of Apple devices we want to charge at the end of the day. Just drop your iPhone and Apple Watch onto their respective chargers, then plug in your iPad or MacBook and set it into one of the holding slots on this accessory.

But if you only need Scosche’s wireless phone and watch chargers, you can get just those two. Or two iPhone chargers to sit side by side. BaseLynx is completely customizable. Components can even be arranged in the order you like them.

The pieces fit together solidly. And there’s only one power cable for a whole array of chargers. BaseLynx really cuts down on clutter.

All the parts are white, with grey accents. On the iPhone and Apple Watch chargers, these accents have a textured cloth appearance. The overall impression is heavy on plastic, but generally clean and simple… which is good, as you’ll be looking at these components on your desk or nightstand for years.

Any of components of the Scosche BaseLynx Modular Charging System can be purchased separately, or they’re available from the Apple store in a couple of bundles. When bought together, they come with a single 5-foot AC power cable. When purchased separately, each component comes with this power cable. But connect modules and only one power cord is needed.

Wireless Charging Pad

The heart of the BaseLynx system is the wireless charger that can be used with every iOS handset since the iPhone 8. It can also be used for the Wireless Charging Case for Apple AirPods, but not an Apple Watch.

There’s a 3.4-inch raised circle in the middle of the pad. Center your iPhone on this and power will start flowing.

The Wireless Charging Pad provides up to 7.5W of electricity, the most an iPhone can receive. There’s a white LED on the side to indicate when a connection has been made.

I tested Scosche’s accessory with a 6.1-inch iPhone 11. In multiple tests, it was able to raise the battery level on this handset approximately 15% in 30 minutes of charging, which is typical. There were no issues using a moderately-thick case.

Watch Charger

Apple Watch owners will want to add the charger designed for this wearable. The charging pad swivels up so you can charge your Watch in two ways: flat with its band open, or tilted up on its side in Nightstand mode.

I had no problems attaching my wrist computer to the magnetic pad. And it stayed in place, as expected.

In multiple tests, the Scosche BaseLynx Watch Charger was able to increase the battery level on my Apple Watch Series 2 an average of 27% in 30 minutes of charging.

Vertical Charging Station

iPads don’t do wireless charging, nor do many other mobile computers, so Scosche created the Vertical Charging Station. It has slots for three devices, whether a tablet, phone or perhaps a gaming system.

The slots are 1.5 inches tall and 0.75 in. apart. They aren’t intended for MacBooks, but my tests showed this accessory can handle a 13-inch laptop. Just barely.

There’s a USB port for each slot. The center one is an 18W USB-C Power Delivery port for speedy iPad recharges. The other two are 12W USB-A ports.

Please note that when purchased separately, Scosche doesn’t include any USB cables with this accessory. However, when it’s combined into the BaseLynx Modular Charging System Pro Kit, it includes both a 1-foot USB-C to Lightning cable and a 1-foot USB-A to Lightning cable. Both are made by Scosche, naturally.

EndCap Charger

Any of the components of the BaseLynx Modular Charging System can have an EndCap Charger added. This includes two charging ports: one 18W USB-C and one 12W USB-A.

Tne End Cap always goes on the right, as the AC power cord always plugs into the left. When purchased separately, other components come with a “dummy” end cap with no ports. Kits come with a single end cap.

I didn’t receive one of these, but thought it worth a mention here.

Scosche BaseLynx Modular Charging System final thoughts

The BaseLynx Modular Charging System offers an organized, clutter-free way to power up all your Apple devices. Put a couple of its modules next to your bed, or perhaps merge a collection together in the kitchen for your whole family to use.

Its modularity is what lets it stand up well against rivals. You can, for example, build a system for charging three iPhones, an Apple Watch and a pair of iPads all at once, something Apple’s failed AirPower never could have done. Scosche’s system makes it a snap to choose exactly what you, your spouse and the kids need to charge all your mobile computers.

Pricing

Apple likes these accessories so much it made them an Apple Store exclusive.

As mentioned, there are a couple of collections. The standard kit includes the iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad chargers for $149.95. The Pro Kit adds an End Cap and two charging cables for $199.95.

Comparable products

Scosche’s modular design makes its offering stand out, but there are plenty of rivals designed to charge a range of Apple devices. Consider the Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad ($139.95), which has sections for iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch.